Okay, thanks Ozscott.
So the gasket will be okay. I'll just take the bolts out and start again.
Due to the difficulty in accessing the lower rear bolts (I need to use a universal) I would much rather not muck around with angle gauges. As soon as the edge of it touches another surface or the socket extensions move a little, all confidence in the reading is lost.
If I go with studs, do these need angle adjustment or just torque? I have noticed a few threads here that query the torque required for studs.
The other gasket wasn't gouged, a piece must have delaminated while I was handling it. In a very bad spot of course.
I didn't even notice until I lay it on the block.
Oh well, worse things have happened at sea.[smilebigeye]

